2003 Campus-Community Partnerships
Parent Involvement in an Urban Los Angeles Elementary School
| Awardee: | Luis Pena, Graduate
student Graduate School of Education and Information Studies |
| Partner: | MALDEF |
Abstract:
It is agreed that parent involvement benefits children's academic achievement. But to date, few researchers have examined parent involvement beliefs and practices from the perspective of the classroom teacher. Given the benefits of parent involvement, it is unfortunate that there is often a "disconnect" between schools and the communities they serve; this is particularly true in urban districts with large numbers of immigrant families. Limited communication and conflicting expectations can reduce the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between schools and communities.
The goals of this research are to:
- Help schools and communities take a more active role in supporting parents' participation in their children's academic lives.
- Help educators improve the teacher-parent cooperation and communication process.
- Improve MALDEF's capacity to assist and educate parents and schools in their Parent School Partnership program.
This researcher is currently conducting case studies of 15 elementary school teachers, in one urban, low-income public elementary in Los Angeles county. This study follows a case study methodology, including teacher-interviews, observations of parent attended school events and document analysis.
Dissemination components will include:
- A final research report with recommendations,
- A community meeting co-sponsored by MALDEF, and
- A conference presentation.
